Man accused of molesting kids found unfit for trial

A man accused of molesting two young children will have his criminal case delayed at least six months after the court found he was unfit to stand trial.

John C. Heisler, 40, is still facing two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, but he won’t face those charges until he’s determined fit to proceed.

Heisler has allegedly made statements in the past that he is a rock star and can grow human body parts. He had decided last month that he would represent himself in court.

The state ordered a mental exam, and those results came back Friday — Heisler is incompetent to proceed.

Todd Myers, chief assistant prosecuting attorney, said Heisler will be committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, where doctors will try to treat him until he is competent to stand trial.

Myers said Heisler would be re-evaluated each six months until he’s competent.

It’s quite different than a person being found innocent by reason of mental disability or defect — what people typically call guilty by reason of insanity.

According to court records, Heisler previously talked about having sex with children younger than 7 years old in his home. Heisler was arrested the same day a tip came in and children no longer live in that home, according to officials.

Officials had been investigating Heisler for about a year, following information that came from a Boys and Girls Town employee in Taney County.

Officials attempted to interview the alleged child victims, ages 4 and 6, at the Child Advocacy Center but “neither were able to complete the interview due to lack of comprehension and communication skills.”

When Heisler was arrested, police reported he was “difficult to keep focused on specific questions” and “would not provide ... specific answers to questions asked.”

To determine that a defendant is incompetent to stand trial, doctors must determine that the person is unable to understand the basic events taking place in the courtroom, or that the person is “not competent to assist in his or her defense,” which is the determination that was made in Heisler’s case.

Myers said doctors who make determinations on competency are specially trained to detect “malingering,” which is when someone is fabricating or exaggerating symptoms.